Cheminées Poujoulat came into the bay of Morbihan in 40 to 45 knots of wind on Sunday night. Despite all the help awaiting his arrival, Bernard Stamm was unable to get onto the mooring that had been set up for him, even though he used the engine and had the help of a RIB and Dominique Wavre. The situation rapidly worsened and the IMOCA 60 was driven ashore. The skipper was rescued and is safe and well, but the bad weather and the fact that it was night prevent further operations. Translation Marian Martin. More:
Bernard Stamm is beginning a race against the clock to get Cheminées Poujoulat to an area where he will be able to try to repair her. At the Kerguelen Islands such a task is impossible, which is why Bernard is hoping to be able to embark the Imoca 60 footer on the Marion Dufresne, which is leaving Kerguelen tomorrow. Cheminées Poujoulat was refloated this morning by the crew of the Marion Dufresne and the TAAF after being driven onto the rocks last night. The boat was extracted from this zone and taking to the mooring. She is floating and the mast and keel are in place, however sadly she has been ripped open on the port side and is full of water. “She is floating albeit low in the water and heeled over.” explained Bernard at the start of the afternoon. “Everyone here has given me a hand and Dominique Wavre also helped me out a huge amount. If we manage to load Cheminées Poujoulat in time, I will also embark on the Marion Dufresne bound for Reunion or elsewhere. I don’t yet know what’s going to happen but there’s a lot of work ahead. The most pressing matter is to get the boat out of the water. It’s not possible to leave her in the water in Kerguelen. This Vendée Globe started off badly and has ended painfully, because there’s nothing worse than seeing your boat driven onto the shore.”